ORAU-Directed Research and Development Grants

This investment program provides a path for funding innovative research-based approaches/solutions that fall within the intersection of core capabilities of ORAU and our member universities’ research interests. We envision ODRD-funded projects to result in proposals that can generate new sponsored research jointly performed by ORAU and partner universities.

ODRD funding, distributed through a competitive process, serves as seed money for exploratory research and collaboration opportunities between ORAU subject matter experts and our university partners. This seed money and exploratory research provides greater potential for significant funding from external sources.

ODRD supports university-engaged, applied research while increasing the potential for significant external research funding and strengthening ORAU’s ability to address current and future customer needs.

The ODRD Program is comprised of core and cross-cutting initiatives focused on developing or advancing strategic capabilities at ORAU. Each year, three research areas are selected to ensure alignment with these strategic goals.

The ODRD program invests in research projects that will:

• advance the study of hypotheses, concepts, or innovative approaches to scientific or technical problems,
• produce research and analyses directed towards “proof of principle” or early determination of the utility of new ideas and concepts, and
• enhance ORAU and member university research capabilities.

Projects should be achievable in one year, and funding is shared between ORAU and the university partners.

The ODRD research areas are communicated to each ORAU member institution in early March. Please contact your ORAU councilor for more information.

ORAU has subject matter experts (SMEs) with unique experience and education specific to a particular research topic. ORAU SMEs serve as the Principle Investigator and project lead and are responsible for submitting proposal applications through an internal ODRD application process. The SMEs represent ORAU’s thought leaders and are the best resource to determine the value of an ODRD collaboration.

Member university personnel with active relationships with ORAU staff are encouraged to reach out directly to discuss the potential for an ODRD project.

To facilitate new partnerships between ORAU and university researchers, we invite university faculty to submit a collaboration request that clearly outlines the scope of the proposed effort, to be shared with our ORAU SMEs. Submission of a collaboration request is not a guarantee of collaboration or funding.

ODRD uses corporate funds to support awarded projects. No federal monies are used to fund ODRD projects and activities. The number of projects awarded may vary.

ODRD funds may be used for direct charges only (no indirect or overhead charges are permitted), and in accordance with your university’s policies pertaining to grants and travel charges.

ORAU does not require a final financial report for ODRD grants.